I work as a nurse on an orthopedic unit that often requires some heavy lifting. I'm fortunate in that I only work weekends. I was initially hoping to miss just one weekend (with about 1 to 1/2wks of downtime) but am starting to worry that might not be enough. How long off from work is average?

I think that should be good. I had surgery on Thursday and was back to doing home daycare on monday.

If you can afford to take a full 14 days of rest, I would do it. I did it and that allowed me sufficient time to heal, and get used to being banded. I'm happy I had the time to recover fully, given the fact that I was very nauseated for the first 4-5 days after the surgery.

Two weeks is ideal, but depending on your metabolism and your body, you might feel good enough to go back in 1 week or 10 days.

Good Luck to you!

I took 5 days off from my desk job.... but I wasnt allowed to lift more than 10 lbs for a month....

I work as a care aide in a long term care facility. My work is extremely fast paced and i do a lot of lifting. -So similar work

I took a whole month off, and deffinatly needed it off.

I work as a care aide in a long term care facility. My work is extremely fast paced and i do a lot of lifting. -So similar work

I took a whole month off, and deffinatly needed it off.

Wow! I never thought that I might need to take a month off, but we do similar jobs--heavy lifting of pt's etc. This definitely gives me food for thought. I think I'll definitely will take 2 weekends off, which will give me closer to 3 weeks off.

Thanks everyone for posting!

Definitely need longer for heavy lifting to prevent stuff from straining in side.

My Dr, advised at least 6 weeks without lifting over 10 lbs. I work at home so I am lucky...but I know just from going to the grocery store I was tired... take as much time as you can... make sure you take care of yourself.. after all that is why we got banded..

If you have a job where you are on your feet and doing heavy lifting, then 4 weeks is the norm. When I had my gallbladder removed, I was a CNA and the surgeon made me take at least 4 weeks off. I work a desk job and my surgeon wants me to take two weeks off after my lap band surgery next Wednesday. So if I were you, I'd 1) check with your surgeon and 2) take all the time you can get.